Questions: Question 18 2 pts Consider the unbalanced equation shown below. H2SO4(aq) + Al(OH)3(s) -> H2O(l) + Al2(SO4)3(aq) When the equation above is balanced using the smallest whole-number coefficients, the coefficient for water will be: 2 6 1 3

Question 18
2 pts

Consider the unbalanced equation shown below.
H2SO4(aq) + Al(OH)3(s) -> H2O(l) + Al2(SO4)3(aq)

When the equation above is balanced using the smallest whole-number coefficients, the coefficient for water will be:
2
6
1
3

Transcript text: Question 18 2 pts Consider the unbalanced equation shown below. \[ \ldots \mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{SO}_{4}(a q)+\ldots \mathrm{Al}(\mathrm{OH})_{3}(\mathrm{~s}) \longrightarrow \ldots \mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}(\mathrm{l})+\ldots \mathrm{Al}_{2}\left(\mathrm{SO}_{4}\right)_{3}(a q) \] When the equation above is balanced using the smallest whole-number coefficients, the coefficient for water will be: 2 6 1 3

Solution

Solution Steps

Step 1: Write the Unbalanced Chemical Equation

The given unbalanced chemical equation is:

\[ \mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{SO}_{4}(aq) + \mathrm{Al}(\mathrm{OH})_{3}(s) \longrightarrow \mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}(l) + \mathrm{Al}_{2}\left(\mathrm{SO}_{4}\right)_{3}(aq) \]

Step 2: Identify the Atoms to Balance

We need to balance the following atoms: hydrogen (H), sulfur (S), oxygen (O), and aluminum (Al).

Step 3: Balance Aluminum Atoms

There are 2 aluminum atoms in \(\mathrm{Al}_{2}\left(\mathrm{SO}_{4}\right)_{3}\). Therefore, we need 2 \(\mathrm{Al}(\mathrm{OH})_{3}\) on the reactant side:

\[ \mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{SO}_{4}(aq) + 2 \mathrm{Al}(\mathrm{OH})_{3}(s) \longrightarrow \mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}(l) + \mathrm{Al}_{2}\left(\mathrm{SO}_{4}\right)_{3}(aq) \]

Step 4: Balance Sulfur Atoms

There are 3 sulfur atoms in \(\mathrm{Al}_{2}\left(\mathrm{SO}_{4}\right)_{3}\), so we need 3 \(\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{SO}_{4}\) on the reactant side:

\[ 3 \mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{SO}_{4}(aq) + 2 \mathrm{Al}(\mathrm{OH})_{3}(s) \longrightarrow \mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}(l) + \mathrm{Al}_{2}\left(\mathrm{SO}_{4}\right)_{3}(aq) \]

Step 5: Balance Hydrogen and Oxygen Atoms

Now, balance the hydrogen and oxygen atoms. Each \(\mathrm{Al}(\mathrm{OH})_{3}\) provides 3 \(\mathrm{OH}^{-}\) groups, so 2 \(\mathrm{Al}(\mathrm{OH})_{3}\) provides 6 \(\mathrm{OH}^{-}\) groups, which combine with 6 hydrogen atoms from \(\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{SO}_{4}\) to form 6 \(\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}\):

\[ 3 \mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{SO}_{4}(aq) + 2 \mathrm{Al}(\mathrm{OH})_{3}(s) \longrightarrow 6 \mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}(l) + \mathrm{Al}_{2}\left(\mathrm{SO}_{4}\right)_{3}(aq) \]